Carbon buildup or debris on the throttle plate and bore preventing the plate from reaching its mechanical stop; Throttle position sensor 'D' (often the second track inside the throttle body) failing or drifting out of specification; Wiring damage, corrosion, or loose terminals in the throttle position sensor circuit; A sticking or worn throttle plate shaft or return spring inside the throttle body; PCM software calibration issue or corrupted adaptive learning values for the throttle stop; A faulty accelerator pedal position sensor sending conflicting signals that affect throttle stop learning

DTC codes / P21xx · Fuel and air metering / P2115

P2115Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor 'D' Minimum Stop Performance

Q: What does code P2115 mean?

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor 'D' Minimum Stop Performance. P2115 means the engine computer has detected that the throttle plate is not reaching or correctly reporting its minimum mechanical stop position during the self-test or closed-throttle learning routine. The powertrain control module (PCM) compares the expected minimum stop voltage from throttle position sensor 'D' against the actual signal and sets this code when the value falls outside the calibrated window.

P2115 means the engine computer has detected that the throttle plate is not reaching or correctly reporting its minimum mechanical stop position during the self-test or closed-throttle learning routine. The powertrain control module (PCM) compares the expected minimum stop voltage from throttle position sensor 'D' against the actual signal and sets this code when the value falls outside the calibrated window.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
A slightly rough or unstable idle as the throttle plate struggles to seat at its minimum stop
Reduced engine power or limp-home mode triggered by the electronic throttle control system
Hesitation or a brief stumble when accelerating from a stop
In rare cases, the engine may stall when returning to idle

Common causes, most likely first

Carbon buildup or debris on the throttle plate and bore preventing the plate from reaching its mechanical stop
Throttle position sensor 'D' (often the second track inside the throttle body) failing or drifting out of specification
Wiring damage, corrosion, or loose terminals in the throttle position sensor circuit
A sticking or worn throttle plate shaft or return spring inside the throttle body
PCM software calibration issue or corrupted adaptive learning values for the throttle stop
A faulty accelerator pedal position sensor sending conflicting signals that affect throttle stop learning

How to diagnose and fix it

Use a scan tool to read the freeze-frame data and verify the throttle position sensor 'D' voltage at closed throttle against the manufacturer's specification
Inspect the throttle body bore and plate for carbon deposits and clean them with a throttle-body-safe cleaner and a soft brush
Perform a throttle body relearn or idle air volume learn procedure with the scan tool after cleaning
Back-probe the throttle position sensor 'D' connector and check for a smooth voltage sweep from closed to open throttle, looking for dead spots or dropouts
Inspect the wiring harness from the throttle body to the PCM for chafing, corrosion, or loose pins, and repair as needed
If the sensor signal is erratic or out of range, replace the throttle body assembly or the sensor as applicable to the vehicle
Clear the code and perform a road test with several ignition cycles to confirm the minimum stop performance now passes

Why cleaning the throttle body often fixes P2115

A dirty throttle plate that cannot fully close is the most common cause of this code on high-mileage vehicles, and a proper cleaning plus relearn resolves it more often than parts replacement.
The code does not always mean the sensor has failed; a weak return spring or a carbon ridge on the bore can mimic a sensor fault by preventing the plate from reaching the stop.
Many technicians replace the throttle body only to find the code returns because they skipped the PCM relearn procedure, which is required for the new minimum stop values to be learned.
A marginal battery or charging system voltage can disrupt the throttle stop learning routine during key-on, so check battery health before condemning the throttle body.
On some vehicles, a stored P2115 is an artifact of a previous throttle body cleaning or replacement that was never followed by a relearn, so check service history before diagnosing.

Can I keep driving with P2115?

You can usually drive the vehicle to a repair shop, but avoid aggressive acceleration and expect possible limp-home mode that limits engine power. If the engine stalls repeatedly or the throttle feels unpredictable, stop driving and have it towed.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.